Marlene Blum Receives 2011 Lawrence Fowler Award

Marlene W. Blum has been Providence District representative on the
Health Care Advisory Board since 1985.

Instrumental in shaping health care policy in Fairfax County and
developing and implementing human service programs.

Award honors the accomplishments of Lawrence V. Fowler, who served for
41 years on the Consumer Protection Commission and its predecessor.

The Fairfax County Board of
Supervisors presented the Lawrence V. Fowler Award to Marlene W. Blum
at its meeting today. The award recognizes the distinguished volunteer
service of a longstanding member of a Fairfax County board, authority,
commission or committee (BAC) whose exceptional service contributed to
the overall quality of life in the community.

Blum has been the Providence District representative on the Health Care Advisory
Board (HCAB) since 1985 and has served as its chair since 1988.
She currently represents the HCAB on the county’s Health Care
Reform Task Force and is an active member of the Partnership for a
Healthier Fairfax, chairing the coalition’s Community Themes and
Strengths Assessment Subcommittee.

Her accomplishments include:

Leading the effort, as HCAB chair, to create the Affordable Health
Care Program, known today as the Community Health Care Network which
provides primary care to those uninsured and underinsured.

Creating the Fairfax County HIV/AIDS Task Force in 1989. This led
to the Case Management Program, in addition to program, education, and
prevention funding for community-based organizations.

Recognition as the Federation of Citizens Associations’ Fairfax County
Citizen of the Year in 2005.

Participation in the development of the county’s Five-Year Consolidated
Plan for Fiscal Year 2011, reviewing the county’s existing programs and
strategies, identifying gaps and establishing priorities for housing,
supportive community services, homelessness, community development,
neighborhood preservation and revitalization, and employment
opportunities in the county.

The Lawrence V. Fowler Award was established to honor the
accomplishments of Fowler, who served for 41 years on the Consumer
Protection Commission and its predecessor. Fowler set the bar for
exceptional and long-term volunteer service for Fairfax County
Government. To be considered for the award, individuals must have served
on a county BAC for at least 10 years demonstrating exceptional service
contributing to the overall quality of life in the community